Maybe nursing isn't for me

Biol20fan · Mar 13, 2006

I think almost everybody has been in this boat at one time or another I took a full course load last semester, including Microbiology, Human Physiology, and Medical Terminology. Plus, I have two little children (both under the age of four), and I was traveling about 40 minutes each way to my school. Oh, and I had the scariest teachers in the whole district. I never ever ever thought I would make it through the semester. I had at least one major crying fit each week from the stress :crying2: , I lost twelve pounds (oh, wait, that was a GOOD thing, ha ha) and I swear, I never felt so stupid in my life. I am normally an A student. I study hard, I study well, I do well. But this semester almost broke me, and I questioned myself many, many, MANY times as to whether or not I thought I could do this, whether or not I was "up to the challenge." Something inside me kept me going, though. I knew I had to not only do it for my family, I had to do it for myself.

I ended up with a C in both classes (two points away from a B in Micro, grrrr), but I have never been as proud of my "A" grades as I am of those two "C's." Don't worry, you CAN do this. It is possible. Try as hard as you can to take a few minutes break here and there. Overstudying can do you in as bad as understudying will.

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NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2006

We had our first anatomy test this past week and I studied like no other! I did outlines of the chapters, read extra books, google searches, flashcards, attended lecture/lab, copied others' notes, formed study partners...I was set! I woke up late but still made it to the test on time (phew!) The test was okay, nothing that I couldn't handle. I started getting really freaked out as I was taking it (i.e. "Oh my gosh! This question is worth 14 points so if I don't get this than the highest grade I can get is bla bla bla. These questions are so in depth! I'll never get an A....") and my mind started blanking and I couldn't remember the answers to even the simple questions. We had to compare and contrast the structure of the tunics between the espohagus and gut tube and it was torture! Then we had fill in the blank and I was freaking out because I knew exactly what they were talking about but I was looking at the clock and freaking out because I had so many questions and this test is such a huge portion of my grade (three tests and the final...) I thought I got maybe a B at the least....well, we got our test back and I got an F!!!!!!!!!! (66%) I was so sad. I went and cried alone for a bit after class and was thinking nursing wasen't for me (but I don't know what else I would choose because I have had my mind set on it for so long!) This class really scares me because many people have to retake it but I don't have the money to do this again and anatomy is the core of the nursing profession and if I don't know it...! I am really sad because I don't know if it was the anxiety or if I needed to review my flashcards more or what...I seriously studied my butt off and didn't leave anything to the last minute. Now I feel like a failure because I really tried and I did bad and now I'm assessing my capabilities to be a nurse or get into nursing school (If I can't do this anatomy class, how can I get to physiology or patho....) I just need some advice. Should I withdraw? I am taking ONLY anatomy this semester (I work FT) so there is no excuse for such a bad grade which makes me feel worse. Plus, I was planning on applying this coming fall so if I don't stay on track, it will screw up my schedule... I have an A in the lab portion, which is 30% of our total grade. Phew, okay I feel a little better after writing it all out. Any advice would be appreciated.:icon_hug:
Keely

I'd like to give you some advice. It might somewhat contrary to what you would expect.

First, don't do study groups. I never liked them. Too much chance for goofing off and also getting wrong information that somehow sticks with you.. Funny how that works the right stuff doesn't seem to stick and the wrong stuff does.

Secondly, I believe you spent too much time getting ready to study and not enough time actually studying. I had a Poly sci teacher ( yes I have a minor in poly sci) who told us to go over our notes every night and rewrite them so we could read them .. Not just jotted down words but complete sentences. Re writing them put them in our brain, long term memory.

Thirdly, figure out how you learn. But like another poster here said. You can't learn this subject material by rote. You have to understand it. Then when a question comes along you can "figure out" the answer because you can think it through.

Try mneumonics.. I like the them. PMAT. Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telephase.. Learnt that years ago have never forgotten it.

Or that old jingle The hip bone's connected to the thigh bone etc.

You might also go to the education department of your college and ask if they have anyone who can' evaluate your way of learning and give you pointers to maximize your potential..

But please don't give up...

Good luck